Hi! I want to thank you so much for the encouragement and the advice (thanks for the tips LoveAroundEmbersIt makes me want to sit down and write and write… I hope this is good (crosses fingers). And I got so caught up in my writing, which I forgot to explain exactly what Alex's family is about. Ok, Alex's family is sort of a peculiar one: for one it's large (sort of like Edwards except they are not vegetarian). Alex and 'his blood related brother' Nicholas were changed into vampires by Daniel during a European war ( I give you more details when I find the chance to give them). Sarah and Margie joined them later on. Nicholas changed Sarah, while Margie was already changed. (Nicholas and Sarah are together; Daniel and Margie are together.) They range from different ages which you'll find out later…

Chapter 3

My scream was stuck in my throat. The woman slid deeper into her crouch, her eyes watched me hungrily. In seconds, she was gone; my eyes couldn't comprehend the fast movements of her body.

Then suddenly, a loud crashing sound—it sounded like two huge boulders smashing into each other—erupted in front me. I cringed back, and instinctively covered my ears with my hands. Opening my eyes slightly, I saw a tall figure standing in front me. He was facing the woman, leaning forward, his arms spread wide protectively in. Low, threatening snarls shook his body.

"What do you think you're doing Alexander?" The woman said outraged, her musical voice going through a few octaves.

Alexander? My breath became quick gasps, as the name clicked in place in my head.

"I saw her first, Sarah. She's mine." He said casually, straightening slightly, yet his hands were still spread out wide. I couldn't comprehend what his meaning was, or his intention—I just cared that I got to hear his angelic voice.

"Fine," Sarah growled. As I peeked under his arm, she turned briskly and disappeared.

There was nothing, but silence, as I studied his now relaxed—yet stiff back. The moon's soft glow reflected oddly off his snow white skin. He wasn't human—I was positive of that fact. The un-human snarls that had come from him a moment ago, proved it, but I wasn't frightened of him.

"What the hell are you thinking?" Alex growled, wheeling around to face me. My breath caught, even though his face was contorted in anger, his beauty was unbearable and unnatural; his dark hair made his burgundy eyes stand out, capturing mine.

"It's you." I mouthed, unable to catch my breath. His angry expression softened, with a small smile.

"You've grown up, Miss Eleanor Mason." He said softly.

"You remembered my name?" I asked, perplexed.

"Of course I remember," He said with a frown, as if I insulted him or something. Then his eyes took on a fierce look not human at all "How is Edward treating you?" He asked, with a teasing smile, yet I could detect the demand in his voice.

"Quite fine, once he grew up, he became a decent brother." I said with a grin. His answering smile was dazzling, yet relieved.

"If memory serves me correct, you were running away because of Edward…" He trailed off staring at the moon, releasing me from his gaze. When he spoke again, there was an uncomfortable edge to his voice. "I was wondering, Eleanor, why are you out here?"

"Call me Ella, I only let people I don't like call me Eleanor." I said quickly, suddenly too embarrassed to answer his question. I looked down, as his eye flashed back to my face.

"Ella, then, why are you wandering about in the woods at night—and in your night dress for heaven's sakes!" He said, the anger from before distinct in his voice. I glanced up to see him staring, intently, at my face. My eyes locked with his, and I suddenly blurted out the truth.

"You," I looked down, blood rushing to my face.

"Me? I don't understand what you mean." I looked up, to see his brow furrowed—confused. I nearly giggled out loud, he looked so adorable. Yet it didn't erase my embarrassment, and I looked down again—the blush burning my cheeks once again.

"Why are you blushing, young one?" Suddenly he was right there, lifting my chin ever so gently, so he could see my face. His cold fingertips felt wonderful to my skin.

"I'm not a child. I am sixteen you know." I grumbled, avoiding his searching eyes. I could tell by his young face, he was no more than two or three years older than I was.

He laughed—a low bell like laugh—and caught my eyes with his. They were warm—with humor. "Though sixteen… to my kind is but a child."

"Your kind?" I asked, suddenly anxious.

"I would expect, after experiencing something like that, you—of all people—would figure out—I am not human. I suppose, I'm expected to kill you now" He mused, staring just over my head, but his eyes flashed to my face as I took a step back, the blood drained from my face. "I said expected not that I'm going to. It would be pointless to kill you now, after I just saved your life from Sarah."

"Kill me? Why are you expected to kill me?" I asked hoarsely. He frowned, as he stared into my eyes, probably reading the fear in them.

"I'm sorry Ella. I—I'm not use to being around humans. Please, forgive me." His voice was a soft murmur, his eyes held me in place.

"What are you?" I breathed, his sweet breath fanned across my face as he leaned in closer. Then his lips were at my ear, his perfect, cold cheek pressed gently against mine. When he spoke, his unnatural cold breath made me shiver.

"A vampire,"